Scott Laird feels good for Walsall's 'M6 Classico'
Scott Laird believes the feel-good factor has returned to Walsall – with the defender determined it will now continue with victory over Coventry.
The Saddlers entertain their West Midlands rivals at the Banks's Stadium tomorrow having won four of their last five matches.
Resurgent Coventry, meanwhile, enter the clash in identical form with interim boss Mark Venus transforming the club's fortunes following the departure of Tony Mowbray.
But while both teams head into the game believing they can take all three points, Laird is confident of victory – with the Saddlers having already secured a derby win against Shrewsbury this month.
"We're in a really good place at the moment and as a team we can't wait for Saturday," the left-back said.
"The fans are enjoying it, the media are enjoying it – the questions are a bit easier – and the boys are loving it.
"It's been a really good month but now we need to sustain that going into November. Coventry are up first. The M6 Classico.
"They struggled at the start of the season but they have turned a corner.
"We know anyone can beat anyone in League One. We have to be on our game like we have been over the past month or so. But I think we were brilliant in the derby against Shrewsbury.
"The atmosphere that day was amazing. Their fans made some great noise and our fans counteracted that and sang their hearts out. It was great to play in. We need to do that again, get the crowd to help us along the way and push us over the line because they do make massive difference."
Walsall put on arguably their best performance of the season last weekend as they secured a 2-0 win at Swindon. And after controlling that game from the off, Laird admits the team is striving for a similar performance tomorrow.
"That is the benchmark," he added. "Even out of possession we controlled the game at Swindon.
"We set traps and controlled where they were passing the ball because our shape and discipline was excellent.
"Then when we got on the ball, we used it really well and kept possession really well.
"Swindon was our third clean sheet of the season but we need more because we are determined to keep climbing the table and be successful."
